By the numbers
Sweet nothings
Gifts
Traditions
Potpourri
100
Pope Gelasius the First attempted to combat the "pagan" rituals that preceded Valentine's Day by honoring Saint Valentine with a festival in the early spring. Buried on the Via Flamina in Rome, this Saint Valentine was martyred in what year?
What is 270 CE?
100
How do you say "I love you" in Spanish?
What is "te amo"?
100
In 2014, the average American man spent about $108.38 on Valentine's Day gifts, while the average American woman spent this much.
How much is $49.41?
100
It's traditional to shower the bride and groom with paper money in these countries.
What are Greece, Poland, Mexico, and Nigeria?
100
The modern American celebration of Valentine's Day on February 14th has origins in this ancient Roman festival.
What is Lupercalia?
200
About this many couples have been married in Las Vegas' White Chapel since it opened in 1951?
What is about 800,000?
200
This is how you tell someone you love them in Portuguese.
What is "eu te amo?"
200
"Love-spoons" are an old Valentine's Day traditional gift. They're intricately-carved spoons featuring symbolic designs including keys (the symbol of a man's heart), wheels (his hard work), and beads (the number of children he wants to have). "Love-spoons" circulate in this area of the world.
What is Wales?
200
Though it originated in the antebellum era, the tradition known as "jumping the broom" has recently been re-popularized in this culture.
What is African-American culture?
200
Hand-written love notes gained popularity as a Valentine's Day tradition in England in this century.
What is the 18th century?
300
Kobe-based confectioner Morozoff Ltd ran the first advertisement for Valentine's Day chocolate in Japan in this year.
What is 1936?
300
February 14th is known as Ystavan Paiva (Friend's Day) in this country.
What is Finland?
300
Although Valentine's Day has only gained popularity in this country within the past two decades, it has developed a humorous tradition: men write their sweeties humorous poems or rhymes called "gaekkebrev," signed only with dots. If the receiver can guess the name of the sender, they receive an Easter egg later in the year.
What is Denmark?
300
A spritely, Santa Claus-like character leaves little treats and small presents for young children in Norfolk, England on the eve of Valentine's Day. This lovable but mysterious character goes by this name.
What is Jack Valentine?
300
Small, chocolate-covered hazelnuts wrapped in a romantic quote and known as baci perugina have become a popular Valentine's Day gift in this country.
What is Italy?
400
The 14th of February is an important day in Slovenia's agricultural calendar, but Slovenians really celebrate their annual day of love on this date.
What is March 12th, also known as St. Gregory's Day?
400
In South Korea, women give gifts to men on Valentines' Day (February 14th), but men give women gifts on March 14th, also known as...
What is"White Day?"
400
It is traditional for lovers to give each other books in this area of the world.
What is the Catalan region of Spain?
400
In this country, couples celebrate their love on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year, known as Qixi. On this day single women offer melons and other fruits to the heavenly goddess Zhinu in the hopes of finding a good husband. Couples go to the temple to pray for happiness and prosperity.
What is China?
400
February 14th has become a popular day for weddings and engagements in some areas of the world, and mass weddings are on the rise in some places. In 2012, more than 2,000 couples were married or renewed their vows in mass ceremonies in this country.
What is the Philippines?
500
According to the national Greeting Card Association, Americans spend about one billion (commercially-produced) Valentine's Day cards each year, representing this percentage of the total number of greeting cards sent each year.
What is 25%?
500
Somebody just said "te iubesc" (I love you) - you're probably in this country.
What is Romania?
500
In 2009, The Times of India named this the most romantic gift.
What is a vintage watch?
500
In keeping with ancient customs, it is still popular for women to pin the names of their love interest(s) on their shirtsleeves on February 14th in this country.
What is South Africa?
500
In the traditional culture of this country, engagements are a family affair: it is considered inappropriate for a man to visit his bride-to-be's house alone - he has to bring his entire family with him.
What is Oman?